Bohusjulle to be electrified

In recent years, boat manufacturer Lars Sköld has worked to electrify most fossil-fueled boats into electric ones.

The Bohus coast is a place where boating is a popular activity. In Kungshamn, Lars Sköld develops, designs and manufactures boats.

Electric boats work very well, especially slow-moving boats as they do not require large engines. However, propelling a craft in water requires much more energy than propelling a vehicle on land. Especially a fast-moving/planing hull that may take up to ten times as much energy as a car.

- We have built a dozen electric skiffs and this has worked very well for both lobster and mackerel fishing, as well as for calm, comfortable and quiet trips in our beautiful archipelago. Economically, it is not only low energy costs but also low service costs," says Lars Sköld.

The availability of electricity in ports is a requirement for the transition to work. At present, there is fairly good access to the ordinary, so-called shore power (230 V 10A) that often works to charge smaller boats in the municipal ports. However, charging larger boats and faster requires similar chargers to those available for cars. This means that charging infrastructure in ports faces a challenge, especially if the chargers are to be placed on piers.

- "It is fantastic to hear about all the will, knowledge and ability to change habits. It looks bright and in our ongoing project along both the Swedish and Norwegian coast, we will do everything we can in the coming years to create charging facilities for recreational boats, says Maria Aronsson, who works with the go:LEIF project for Fyrbodal's municipal association.